TIGERS COME UP SHORT IN FIVE-SET THRILLER

BOURBONNAIS, IL – Olivet Nazarene University faced off against the Fighting Saints of St. Francis University at McHie Arena on Tuesday night in what proved to be the most intense match of the regular season so far. 

The Fighting Saints started the first set off strong, gaining the lead early on. A kill by ONU's Halle Nicholas tied the set. It wasn't long until St. Francis regained the lead. The Tigers stayed right behind them, tying the score multiple times. The Fighting Saints kept the heat and regained the lead. The Tigers had multiple kills, but couldn't keep with it, dropping the set, 23-25

Both squads came into the second set firing on all cylinders. ONU held the advantage over their opponent for the entire set. The Tigers had multiple kills, but the kill by Julianne Kielion secured the set and gave ONU their largest lead with a score of 25-15.

St. Francis opened the third set of the match with some extreme gameplay. They scored early on and maintained the lead until a kill by ONU's Kelsey Todd tied the set. A kill by Nicholas gave the Tigers their first lead. Despite showing incredible talent on the court, ONU wouldn't be able to maintain the lead as St. Francis came in hot to regain control. Both teams displayed incredible talent, going back and forth until St. Francis ended the set, 28-30.

ONU and St. Francis lit McHie Arena on fire with their back and forth ball game in the fourth set. Despite having a few shifts in the lead, the Tigers managed to dominate the set. The Fighting Saints couldn't keep up and surrendered the set to ONU with a score of 25-20.

Both squads entered the final set of the match with nothing other than perseverance and determination. St. Francis proved that they didn't come to mess around, dropping points back to back. ONU gave the Fighting Saints a run for their money before losing the set, 9-15.

GAME VITALS

Final: First Set: ONU 23, SFU 25 | Second Set: ONU 25, SFU 15 | Third Set: ONU 28, SFU 30 | Fourth Set: ONU 25, SFU 20 | Fifth Set: ONU 9, SFU 15

Records: St. Francis (Ill.) 11-8 (5-2 CCAC) | Olivet Nazarene 5-12 (4-2 CCAC)

Location: Mchie Arena | Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais, IL

QUICK HITS:

• Nicholas put up 18 kills.
• Kielion and Karsyn Delbridge had 22 and 23 assists, respectively.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Tigers will go up against the Judson University Eagles on Thursday, September 29, 2022. The match is set to take place Lindner Fitness Center in Elgin, IL at 7:00 p.m. CST.

--ONU--

*Contact, Evan Wild, Sports Information Director, ewwild@olivet.edu